Safety train-line controller.



J. P. BOLT.

SAFETY TRAIN LINE CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21. 1914.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

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'HE NORRIS PETERS Co.-, PHOTD-LITHO., WASHING TON. D: c

JAMES P. BOLT, F KEGLE'Y, 'WEST VIRGINIA.

SAFETY TRAIN-LINE CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Feb. 9, 11915.

Application filed March 21, 1914. Serial No. 826,303.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JAMES P. BOLT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kegley, in the county of Mercer and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Train- Line Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a safety train line controller and more particularly to a device attached to the body of the car for applying the air brakes while the car is being derailed.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described comprising a resiliently mounted wheel having a novel means in connection there with for releasing the air from the main pipe line.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved valve for controlling the air line and also to provide a novel means for mounting the valve so that the same may be easily actuated upon the operation of the wheel.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved means for resiliently moimting the actuating wheel.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved means in connection with the air controlling valve for resetting the same, the resetting means being operated by the engineer inthe cab.

A still. further object of my invention is to provide an improved device of the character described that is simple in construction, eiiicient in operation, and one that can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a minimum cost.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features, and scope of my invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connec tion with the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1, represents a side elevational view, partly in section, disclosing my invention in detail. Fig. 2, represents a sectional view of my invention taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 showing to advantage the particular manner of constructing. and mounting the operating wheel. Fig. 3, represents a sectional view taken on line 8-3 of Fig. 1 showing the construction of my improved air controlling valve and the means for actuating the same. Fig. 4:, represents a sectional view taken on line H of Fig. 3 showing the openings in the valve casing.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views, I provide the rails 1 on which are supported the wheels 2 the latter being journaled in the trucks 3 carried by the body of the car.

Rigidly connected to the trucks and extending transversely across the body of the car is a base plate 1, which plate is provided adjacent its respective ends with openings 5 through which are slidably mounted pistons 6, the latter having their lower ends bifurcated to form wheel supports 7 and which supports have journaled therein flat faced wheels 8 for engagement with the rails 1. Disposed about the pistons 6 and rigidly mounted upon the base plate 4 about the openings 5 are cylinders 9 which in this in stance consists essentially of two sections, the lower section 10 which is provided with a base flange 11 for the reception of bolts 12 for securing the same to the base plate. The upper section 13 of the cylinder is provided on its lower end with a flange 14, the flange being secured to the upper edge of the lower section by means of bolts 15 and has its outer edge in alinement with the outer surface of the lower cylinder as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. For the purpose of maintaining the wheel 8 in engagement with the rails 1, I have disposed about the reduced upper end 16 of the piston and within the upper section of the cylinder an elastic element 17 which in this instance consists essentially of a coil spring, the respective ends of which bear against the upper part of the cylinder and the shoulder 18 of the piston the latter being formed by reducing the end. The reduced end 16 of the piston extends through the opening 19 in the upper part of the cylinder and has its extreme upper end provided with a U-shaped extension 20 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Mounted upon the top of the cylinder 9 by means of a bracket 21 which bracket is secured to the cylinder by means of bolts 22, is the air controlling valve 23 which in this instance consists essentially of a cylindrical casing 24 having oppositely disposed openings 25 positioned therein for connection with a hose 26 the latter being connected to the main pipe line not shown. The outer edge ofthe cylinder 24 is screw threaded as at 25 for engagement with a cap 26 the latter being provided on its upper surface with spaced cars 97 between which is pivotally mounted by means of a pin 28 an operating lever 29. The inner end of the lever 29 is provided with a beveled catch 30 for engagement with the beveled catch 31 slidably mounted within the slot 32 and the upper part of the casing 2 1 and formed integral with the upper outer surface of the valve head 33, the latter being slidably mounted within the cylinder 24c and provided with an opening 34; extending transversely therethrough and which opening is at times adapted to register with the openings 25 in the casing. A buffer element 2% formed preferably of rubber is positioned 1n the inner end of the casing for relieving the ar on the piston. The lever 29 has its opposite end bent at right angles to the body portion thereof and curved slightly arcuatelv to form a substantial hook member 30 for engagement with the U-shaped extension 20 formed upon the reduced end 16 of the piston. For the purpose of actuating the valve I have disposed about the valve rod 35 an elastic element 36 which in this instance consists essentially of a coil spring, the respective ends of whlch bear against the upper part of the head of the valve and the circular plate 37, the latter being secured to the upper edge of the cylinder 24: by means of bolts 38 and provided with a concentric opening 39 therethrough for the reception of valve rod 35. For the purpose of holding the catch 30 in engagement with the catch 31 I have rigidly mounted upon the upper surface of the easing 2a by means of suitable fastening devices 40 by one end of an elastic element which in this instance consists essentially of a leaf spring 41, the free end of which bears against the upper surface of the lever 29.

For the purpose of preventing dust or other foreign substances entering the cylinder 24; through the slot 32, I-have mounted upon the upper surface of the cyllnder a substantial rectangular casing 42, the latter having the flange 43 formed about the lower edge thereof for the reception of a suitable fastening device 44 for securely holding the same on the cylinder. The casing 42 is further provided with an opening 45 for permitting the operation of the lever 29.

For the purpose of resetting the valve operating means, I have formed integral with the outer end of the valve stem 35 a lever 46, the latter extending through a slot 47 in .a cap 26 and has connected to the free end thereof a cord 48 which can be mounted and extended to Within easy reach of the engineer. This lever also aids in preventing rotary movement of the valve 33.

The operation of my device is as follows:

lVhen the car or engine wheels 2 climb the rail 1, the coil spring 17 positioned within the cylinder 9 will force the piston (3 down and the U-shaped extension or engaging member 20 will at the same time draw upon the lever 29 and release the same from the catch 31 on the valve 33. lVhen the valve 33 is released the coil spring 36 will force the valve into the casing until the opening 3% registers with the openings 25 in the easing which will at once release the air from the main line and apply the brakes, thus safely stopping the train. When it is desired to reset the valve releasing means all. that is necessary is to draw the operating lever 46 against the tension of the coil spring 36 and the catch 31 will engage the ratch 30 and raise the same until it has passed the same, whereupon the spring ll will force the catch. 30 down and hold the same in engagement with the catch 31.

While I have shown and described :1 cylinder for supporting and guiding the piston during its movement it may be understood that I do not entirely limit myself to this specific form. It will be obvious from the construction and arrangement of the catch 31 on the valve head in the slot 39 in the casing that rotary movement of the valve head is prevented.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be seen that I have provided a support which can be attached to and detached from the ordinary form of trucks now in common use on the railroads and which support has mounted thereon a valve means and a linear movable rail engaging carrier which upon accidental movement of the wheels ofi' from supported position on the rails which will operate the carrier and the latter being operatively connected to the valve means operate the same and apply the brakes.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a safety train line controller, valve means for exhausting from the tain line, means for actuating said valve means, mechanism normally holding said valve means in a closed position, and linear movable rigid means in constant pressure engagement with the rails for releasing said mechanism on accidental movement of the vehicle wheels upwardly on the rails.

2. In a safety train line controller, valve means for exhausting from the train line, means for actuating said valve means, mechanism normally holding said valve means in a closed position, linear movable rigid means in constant pressure engagement with the rails for releasing said mechanism on accidental movement of the vehicle wheels upwardly on the rails, and means for resetting said valve means.

3. In a safety train line controller, a support including a cylinder, valve means for exhausting from the train line mounted on said support, mechanism for normally holding said valve means in a closed position, linear movable rigid means resiliently mounted in said cylinder and in constant pressure engagement with the rails and having connection with said mechanism for releasing the mechanism on accidental movement of the vehicle wheels oil from supported contact with the rails.

i. In a safety train line controller, valve means for exhausting from the train line, a support, a cylinder mounted on said support, a piston in said cylinder, an elastic element disposed about said piston in said cylinder, said elastic element having a constant downward pressure on said piston, a rail engaging element mounted on said piston, and means operatively connecting said piston and valve means for actuating the valve means upon accidental movement of the vehicle wheels off from supported contact with the rails.

5. In a safety train line controller, a support, valve means for exhausting from a train line mounted on said support, a guide mounted on said support, a linear movable rigid carrier mounted in said guide, elastic means on said support having a constant downward pressure on said carrier, a rail engaging element mounted on said carrier, and means operatively connecting said carrier and valve means for actuating the valve means upon accidental movement of the vehicle wheels off from supported contact with the rails.

6. In a safety train line controller, a support, a cylinder mounted on said support, a piston in said cylinder, a coil spring disposed about said piston in said cylinder, said spring having a constant downward pressure on said piston, a wheel rotatably mounted in the outer end of said piston for contact with the rail, and means upon the upper end of said piston for actuating a train line valve.

7. In a safety train line controller, a valve casing, a valve resiliently mounted in said casing, said casing provided with a slot, a catch formed upon said valve projecting through said slot, said catch preventing rotary movement of said valve, a locking lever pivotally mounted on said casing for engagment with said catch for maintaining said valve in a closed position, and means for actuating said lever for releasing said valve.

9. In a safety train line controller, a valve casing, a valve slidably mounted in said casing, elastic means disposed between one end of said casing and said valve for actuating said valve, means mounted on said casing for holding said valve in a closed position, and a linear movable rigid carrier in constant pressure engagement with the rails and having connection with said holding means for releasing the valve upon accidental movement of the vehicle wheels upwardly on the rails.

10. In a safety train line controller, a valve casing, a valve slidably mounted in said casing, elastic means disposed between one end of said casing and said valve for actuating said valve, means mounted on said casing for holding said valve in a closed position, a linear movable rigid carrier in constant pressure engagement with the rails and having connection with said holding means for releasing the valve upon accidental movement of the vehicle wheels upwardly on the rails, and means for resetting said valve means.

11. In a safety train line controller, a support, a valve casing mounted on said support, a valve resiliently mounted in said casing, said casing provided with a slot, a catch formed upon said valve projecting through said slot, said catch preventing rotary movement of said valve, a locking lever pivotally mounted on said casmg for engagement with said catch for maintaining said valve in a closed position, a guide mounted on said support, a linear movable rigid carrier mounted in said guide, elastic means on said support having constant downward pressure on said carrier, a rail engaging element mounted on said carrier, a U-shaped extension formed upon the upper end of said carrier and in engagement with the free end of said locking lever for actuating said locking lever upon accidental movement of the vehicle wheels off from supported contact with the rails.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES P. BOLT.-

Witnesses J. IV. WORRELL, O. J. BLANKINSHIP.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, I). C. 

